TikTok has launched its first European data center in Dublin in response to concerns about data privacy and its ties to China. The video-sharing platform, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has moved European users’ data to servers in Dublin.
TikTok has repeatedly denied sharing data with the Chinese government, but critics worry about the potential for access requests by Chinese authorities. The European data center aims to alleviate these concerns by storing European user data locally.
TikTok has introduced “Project Clover,” in which a European security company, NCC Group, will audit cybersecurity and data protection controls independently. This initiative runs alongside “Project Texas,” introduced in 2020, which outlined similar measures for the US.
Earlier this year, TikTok faced restrictions in several countries, including the UK government, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the EU Council banning the app on officials’ devices due to cybersecurity and privacy concerns.
One data center is operational in Dublin, with plans for another in Ireland and one in Norway’s Hamar region. These centers will manage the data of TikTok’s 150 million European users.
NCC Group will identify and respond to suspicious access attempts and enhance security measures. TikTok and NCC Group will also engage with European policymakers to explain the system’s implementation.
